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Starting Treatment
with an Intervention

Interventions operate as a wake-up call to the individual whose behavior warrants modification and rehabilitation. An intervention is a third-party mechanism that facilitates the transition to change of an individual’s behavior, emotions and thoughts

In a formal intervention, family members, friends and/or relatives, and a professional interventionist work together to persuade an individual engaged in the self-destructive behavior to accept help. Intervention therapy aims at relieving suffering and setting in motion the addict’s path to recovery. According to addictions studies, a professional and structured intervention program is successful at persuading more than 90% of individuals who are confronted to seek treatment.

Programs and Services

Intervention programs are available at inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, as well as 12-step support groups. Intervention services assist clients in several ways.

Intervention Assistance Includes :

  • Choosing the most suitable intervention model
  • Matching the needs of the patient and their family with the appropriate treatment facility
  • Performing the intervention
  • Transportation to treatment
  • Monitoring progress throughout the course of the treatment
  • Providing assistance in after-care planning
  • Furnishing resources and support to friends and family members

Types of Intervention

Intervention services are available for self-destructive behaviors ranging from compulsive gambling, sex addiction and internet addiction to substance abuse, drug addiction and alcoholism. A drug intervention is the most successful method of convincing an addict to begin treatment immediately. Interventions are effective in crisis situations and circumstances involving seniors who oppose an assisted-living arrangement.

Interventions are meticulously planned and conducted in a non-confrontational manner. They may take place at an intervention center, home, church, workplace or other comfortable setting. Most addicts subjected to a professional intervention accept treatment. There are several kinds of interventions, and a professional interventionist is equipped to evaluate which type best corresponds to the addict’s personality, age, nature of substance abuse or self destructive behavior.

Common Types of Intervention Services Include:

Family Intervention

Family members solicit the services of a professional interventionist in an effort convince a loved one to check into a treatment center. An expedited intervention usually take places when family members believe that the chemically dependent individual poses an immediate threat themselves or others.

A professional interventionist trains the family in confronting the addict in a non-judgmental manner and demanding that he enter a treatment program. A family intervention is planned thoroughly and is particularly recommended for chronic addicts even if their destructive behaviors do not pose an imminent threat to themselves or others.

Executive Intervention

Interventions are also effective in the employment context, where a key employee’s addiction is taking a toll on his performance, behavior and health. In light of the situation’s delicate and critical nature, it is advisable to seek the services of a professional interventionist.

Crisis Intervention

A crisis is defined as an unforeseen and short-lived event that is stressful and/or life-threatening and that overrides a person’s capacity to utilize effective coping and problem-resolution skills. In crisis intervention, individuals who live through an incident that provokes mental, behavioral, emotional, or physical distress obtain emergency psychological assistance to assuage the trauma and restore them to a pre-crisis level of functioning.

Situations Warenting Crisis Intervention Include:

  • Threats of violence or violence (i.e. domestic violence)
  • Suicide attempts or thoughts
  • Reckless driving
  • Weapons
  • Natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes
  • Sexual assault
  • Death of a loved one
  • Divorce
  • Mental illness
  • Medical illness
  • Homicidal thoughts

Studies have shown that crisis intervention results in enhanced problem-solving and lower distress for the individual involved or victim(s).

Crisis Intervention Goals Include:

  • Stabilization or cessation of the stressor
  • Diminution of psychological and physical symptoms and signs of distress
  • Restoration of survival skills and adaptive functioning
  • Development of effective coping skills and elimination of ineffective coping strategies

An important step in the recovery process involves discussing a traumatic event’s emotional impact and the feelings it generates. Crisis intervention helps individuals release locked-up emotions such as guilt and anger by way of journal writing, exercise, relaxation methods and other coping techniques.

Typical Crisis Interventions Include:

  • Immediate intervention
  • Stabilization of the victim
  • Fact-gathering, empathetic listening to the victim’s account of the event, and facilitation of the victim’s understanding of the critical event’s impact
  • Assistance of victims in problem-solving and in utilization of available resources
  • Encouragement of self-reliance

The average duration of crisis interventions is four weeks, with each session lasting between 20 minutes and two or more hours. A crisis intervention, which is suitable for adults, adolescents and children, usually carried out in emergency rooms, counseling centers, mental health clinics, crisis centers and schools.

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